Kundali IQ
Menu ☰
SSC Maths AcademyHomeSchool 6–12Free notesExplore allMy study planSearchExamsTeachers & parentsPricingFAQOpen appGet it on Google Play

Home › Free notes › Class 8 Social Science › The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive – Class 8 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 8 Social Science, chapter 6. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

हिंदी में पढ़ें

Chapter overview

India has a parliamentary system of government. Parliament, made up of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, makes laws. The executive, led by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, carries out laws and is responsible to the Lok Sabha. The President is the head of state.

Parliament

  • Lok Sabha (House of the People): members are directly elected for five years; there are 543 elected seats.
  • Rajya Sabha (Council of States): members are elected by state legislatures for six years, with one-third retiring every two years; the President nominates 12 members; it is a permanent house.
  • The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; the Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker.
  • A bill becomes law after being passed by both Houses and receiving the President's assent; money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

The executive

  • The President is the head of state and is elected indirectly by an electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs.
  • The Prime Minister is the head of government and is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha.
  • The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha; it must resign if it loses a no-confidence motion.

How Parliament controls the government

  • Question hour, debates, motions and parliamentary committees keep the government accountable.
  • The opposition criticises policies and offers alternatives.

Key terms

Parliament
the national legislature of India, consisting of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Collective responsibility
the principle that the whole Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha
Bill
a proposal for a law placed before Parliament
No-confidence motion
a motion in the Lok Sabha that, if passed, forces the government to resign

Important questions with answers

What is the difference between the head of state and the head of government in India?2 marks

The President is the head of state; all executive actions are taken in his or her name, and the President is elected indirectly. The Prime Minister is the head of government, who leads the Council of Ministers, takes real decisions and is responsible to the Lok Sabha.

How does a bill become a law in India?3 marks

A bill is introduced in either House of Parliament (a money bill only in the Lok Sabha). It is discussed and passed by one House, then sent to the other House for discussion and passing. After both Houses pass it, it is sent to the President, and when the President gives assent, it becomes a law.

Describe the composition and functions of Parliament and explain how it keeps the executive accountable.5 marks

Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha has members directly elected by the people from 543 constituencies for five years and is presided over by the Speaker. The Rajya Sabha has members elected by state legislatures for six years, with one-third retiring every two years, and 12 members nominated by the President; the Vice-President is its Chairman. Parliament makes laws, approves the budget and taxes, amends the Constitution, discusses national issues and elects the President and Vice-President along with state legislators. It keeps the executive accountable in many ways: during question hour, members ask ministers questions; debates and discussions examine government policies; parliamentary committees scrutinise spending and bills; and the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, so it must resign if a no-confidence motion is passed. The opposition plays an important role by criticising the government and suggesting alternatives.

Quick revision

  • Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
  • Lok Sabha 5 years; Rajya Sabha permanent, members 6 years.
  • PM and Council of Ministers responsible to Lok Sabha.
  • Money bills only in Lok Sabha.

Exam tips

  • Compare the two Houses in a table: election method, term, presiding officer, special powers.
  • Remember: the President is head of state; the Prime Minister is head of government.

Practice MCQs

  1. The Lok Sabha is also called the

    1. House of the People
    2. Council of States
    3. Upper House
    4. Supreme Court
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) House of the People. Its members are directly elected.

  2. The head of the government in India is the

    1. President
    2. Chief Justice
    3. Prime Minister
    4. Speaker
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Prime Minister. The President is head of state.

  3. The term of the Lok Sabha is normally

    1. 4 years
    2. 5 years
    3. 6 years
    4. 10 years
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 5 years. It can be dissolved earlier.

  4. The ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the

    1. Speaker
    2. President
    3. Prime Minister
    4. Vice-President
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Vice-President. The Lok Sabha has a Speaker.

  5. How many members can the President nominate to the Rajya Sabha

    1. 2
    2. 12
    3. 20
    4. 50
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 12. They are people with special knowledge in art, science, literature or social service.

  6. Money bills can be introduced only in the

    1. Rajya Sabha
    2. Lok Sabha
    3. Supreme Court
    4. state legislatures
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha controls finance.

  7. Collective responsibility means that

    1. each minister answers only to the PM
    2. the whole Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha and resigns together if it loses its confidence
    3. ministers answer to the courts
    4. the President resigns with them
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) the whole Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha and resigns together if it loses its confidence. It is a key feature of the parliamentary system.

  8. The Rajya Sabha is called a permanent house because

    1. its members are never elected
    2. it meets only once
    3. it has no members
    4. it is never dissolved; one-third of members retire every two years
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) it is never dissolved; one-third of members retire every two years. Continuity is maintained.

All chapters of Class 8 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.